Oct 04, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog & Student Handbook 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog & Student Handbook

Graduation and Conferral of Degrees


A student enrolled in a degree-granting program at KCU is eligible to graduate and may have their degree conferred provided the student:

  • Has completed all of the graduation requirements for their program of study.
  • Has received formal approval for graduation from their respective program, Faculty Senate, and the Board of Trustees. 
  • Has complied with all legal and financial requirements of the University.
  • Has submitted an Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar 

Completion of a degree from KCU does not guarantee further career opportunities up to and including matriculation into other KCU educational programs or any other professional school, matching and/or placement in a residency training program or other postgraduate training. 

Students must be officially enrolled in coursework to make progress towards the completion of their primary degree, KCU dual-degree, or track; this applies to all degree programs offered by Kansas City University. Conferral dates align with the last day of the term/semester the student has completed their degree requirements.

Commencement

The commencement ceremony is generally held in early May each year. Commencement represents a celebration of each graduate’s educational accomplishments and the time when the privileges, responsibilities, and degree are conferred. Participation in the commencement ceremony is an earned privilege for those who have completed all degree requirements, and attendance is expected. 

Eligibility for Commencement 

Students who have met the graduation requirements for their program of study or who expect to meet those requirements by the beginning of the subsequent fall semester are eligible for participation in the commencement ceremony. 

Student may only participate in one commencement ceremony per program of study while enrolled at KCU.

Latin Honors

The criteria for graduating with Latin Honors are as follows:

  Pass/Fail Programs Letter Grade Programs
Summa cum laude Top 2% of graduating cohort 4.0 GPA
Magna cum laude Top 3-7% of graduating cohort 3.9-3.99 GPA
Cum laude Top 8-12% of graduating cohort 3.8-3.89 GPA

Graduation Requirements

Biomedical Sciences (M.S.)

A student who has fulfilled all academic and professional requirements and has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the pursuit of a successful career in the biomedical sciences may be granted a master’s degree in either Biomedical Sciences or Biomedical Science Research from KCU College of Biosciences provided the student:

  • Has completed all curricular requirements within the prescribed program length (3 years from the date of matriculation).
  • Has achieved a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  • Has achieved a passing grade in all courses.
  • Has been in residence at KCU-COB for at least one year.

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program at Kansas City University has a minimum of 30 credit hours for the class of 2025.

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Research Program at Kansas City University has a minimum of 38 credit hours for the class of 2026.

Clinical Psychology (M.A.)

A student who has fulfilled all academic, professional, and clinical requirements and has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the practice of clinical psychology may be granted a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the KCU College of Biosciences provided the student has:

  • Completed all curricular requirements for the first two years of study towards the completion of the Psy.D. degree and passed their qualifying exam.
  • Completed at least 2 years of study in the KCU clinical psychology program including 1 year in full-time residence.

The Health Service Psychology Program at Kansas City University has a minimum of 73 credit hours for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree for the class of 2026.

Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)

A student who has fulfilled all academic, professional, and clinical requirements and has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the practice of clinical psychology may be granted a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the KCU College of Biosciences provided the student has:

  • Completed all curricular requirements within the prescribed program length (7 years from the date of matriculation).
  • Completed at least 3 years of study in the KCU clinical psychology program including 1 year in full-time residence.
  • Successfully completed at least three full-time academic years of graduate study (or the equivalent thereof) plus an internship prior to receiving the doctoral degree.

The Health Service Psychology Program at Kansas City University has a minimum of 185.5 credit hours for the Doctor of Psychology degree for the class of 2029.

Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)

A student who has fulfilled all academic, professional, and clinical requirements and has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the practice of dental medicine may be granted the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, provided the student:

  • Has completed all curricular requirements within the prescribed program length (6 years from the date of matriculation).
  • Has satisfactorily completed all required community rotations.
  • Has challenged the national dental examination.

The Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine has a minimum of 257.5 for the predoctoral dental program for the class of 2028. 

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

A student who has fulfilled all academic, professional, and clinical requirements and has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the practice of osteopathic medicine may be granted the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree provided the student:

Has completed all curricular requirements within the prescribed program length (6 years from the date of matriculation).

Has been in residence at an AOA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine, the last two years of which must have been at KCU.

Has satisfactorily completed Standardized Patient encounters/OSCE’s scheduled during the fourth year.

Has passed Levels 1 and 2-CE of the COMLEX-USA examination administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. 

The Kansas City University College of Medicine has a minimum of 143 credit hours for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program for the class of 2028.

Bioethics (Dual-Degree M.A.)

A student who has fulfilled all academic and professional requirements and has demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary may be granted a Master’s degree in Bioethics from KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine provided the student:

  • Has completed all curricular requirements within the prescribed program length (5 years from the date of matriculation).
  • Has achieved a passing grade in all courses.
  • Has completed their primary program of study.

The Master of Arts in Bioethics program has a minimum of 30 credit hours for the class of 2028.